A Grateful Heart

As I was scrolling through my Facebook feed today, I saw a link to an article about a little 3 year old boy that was killed in a car crash last night.  My heart aches for that family and causes me to feel a deep sense of gratitude that my little ones went relatively unscathed in our accident last week.

 I'm grateful for…

• the 5 AM snuggles when we just don't want to sleep in our own bed. 
• the "I'm hungry mom" right before meal times.
• the giggles and squeals when they're playing together.
• the "Mommy your home!" shouts when I get home from teaching.
• the tugs on my pant legs while I'm getting ready in the bathroom.
• the sprints to keep Noah from hurting himself across the room.
• the "I'm sorry mom" and sweet I love you's from my two year old.
• the tupperware strewn all over the kitchen floor.
• the messes that are made when I get "help" making something.
• the adorable smiles when I get them up in the morning or from naps.
• the toys that I can never seem to stay on top of.
• the food that can constantly be found on the floor by the kitchen table.
• the screaming when I leave the room or get out of sight.
• the sound of "crashing" from cars, trucks, trains and tractors.
• the crying when they wake up from naps.
• the excitement when we get him from nursery and the crying when we leave.
• the mound of poopy diapers that my children produce.
• the splashes during bath time.
• the sticky table tops.
• the stroke of little hands caressing my face.  
• the crumbs all over my couches at the end of the day.
• all of these things because they mean I still get to see them in the morning.

I realize that some of the things that I find annoying or tedious are such precious memories in my heart. Future memories could be taken away in a moment and I'm grateful for the memories of my children that I have and for one more day to be with them.  I'm grateful it's not my time to say goodbye for a time and that I get to hug and kiss them tonight before bed.  Even through the crazy times and when it feels like I'm at my whits end, I wouldn't trade them for anything!